Filling machine



- March 24, 1936.

H. R. PHILLIPS ET AL 2,034,921

FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet l H. R. PHILLIPS ETAL FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18, 19:4 9 sheets-sheet 2 March 24, 1936.

H. R. PHILLIPS Er AL 2,034,921

FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18,. 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 h I Imfen's.

P1 and e722 /fhr e H. R. PHILLIPS ET AL 2,034,92

FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18I 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 ul cy n #Z "Ul .finn 1240 T6 III March 24, 1936.

H. R, PHILLIPS ET AL 2,034,92E FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1934 9Sheets-Sheet 5 March 24, 1936- H. R. PH|| |PS ET A1.

FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18, 1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIII March 24,1936. H. R. pHlLLlPS 'ET AL 2,034,92

FILLING MACHINE ITnQ nias.

Max-'ch 24, 1936. H. R. PHILLIPS ET AL FILLING MACHINE Filed June 18,1934 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Inl/en. ons. D/ s March 24, 1936. H R, PHILUPS ETAL y 2,034,921

FILLING MACHINE Filed JLfne 18, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 F /l f4. 15J' 161P 2 a I i Patented Mar. 24, 1936 @NET STATES PATEN' FILLING MACHINEcorporation of Illinois Application June 18, 1934, Serial No. 731,078

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to filling machines, and particularlyfilling machines for taking measured charges of a commodity from a bulksupply and depositing the same in cartons, cups 5 or like containerswhich are commonly fed to the machine, filled with a commodity, cappedand discharged automatically.

The invention has to do especially with the measuring and llingoperations and is directed to the filling of cartons and the like, at agreatly increased speed over prior Ways of performing the samefunctions.

In attaining this end, the novel mechanism includes opposed measuringcylinders with an intervening directing valve. The cylinders employpistons todraw in the charges from the bulk supply and force them outinto the containers. The movement of the pistons in one direction drawsa charge into the cylinder on the one hand and forces a charge from theopposing cylinder on the other hand, while a movement of the pistons inthe opposite direction reverses these charging and dischargingoperations. Thus, by a movement of the pistons to the right, the righthand cylinder is lled from the supply and the left hand cylinder isemptied, and by a movement of the pistons to the left, the right handcylinder is emptied and the left hand cylinder is filled. Single rightand left cylinders and pistons may be replaced by sets of cylinders andpistons, one set at the right hand and the other set at the left hand.

The invention also includes in association with the novel piston andcylinder arrangement a 35 special cut off valve which makes a completecut off stroke while the main directing valve is shifting from onedischarge position to another. This valve serves to clear the no-zzle ofthe main valve of any dripping viscous commodity, such as par- 40 tiallyfrozen ice cream, should such commodity be the one being filled into thecontainers.

The invention has to do also with the handling of the container at thetime it is being filled with the commodity. As is common with machinesof 45 this class the containers travel in a circuitous path from thepoint at which they are placed in the machine to a filling position andthen on to a delivery point.

According to this feature of the invention the container is thrustupward against the lower end of the spout of the filling mechanism andheld there at the time it is being filled with the commodity. The novelarrangement of p-arts by which this result is obtained is such that when55 the container has been brought into a position directly below thenozzle of the filling mechanism a movable member beneath the containerforces it upward into engagement with the nozzle and yet does notdislocate it with reference to the conveying means but maintains it sothat when the 5 container is properly filled it may drop back into itsnormal position in the conveyer and be carried forward to the deliverypoint.

The invention furthermore has to do with the production of an ejectormechanism for delivering the filled and capped or covered container fromthe conveyer when the delivery point is reached. l

In carrying out this feature of the invention the ejector whichcomprises a vertically movable 15 member is thrust upward against thebottom of the filled and closed container and engages the same withsuiiicient fo-rce to free it from its seat in the conveyer and tumble ittherefrom into a chute or other receptacle from which it may be takenand handled as desired. I'his ejector works in timed relation withmovements of the conveyer and comes into play periodically to eject thefilled containers successively as they present themselves at thedelivery point.

Another feature of the invention resides in the indexing mechanism bywhich the conveyer which is commonly a rotating table is accurately setwith reference to the various devices with which it is associated. Thus,where there is a container feeder and a container capper associated withfilling mechanism, it is important that the table be accurately set sothat a container in a given position on the table will present itself inproper position beneath the filling mechanism and again beneath thecapping mechanism.

To the end that this may be properly accomplished an actuating drum camis employed to rotate the table step by step and means are provided foradjusting this drum cam lengthwise of its axis so as to bring about aproper setting of the conveying table relative to its several operatingpositions, that is to say, relative to its container feeding position,its filling position, its capping position and its delivery position.

The invention also contemplates other features and advantages which willmore fully appear upon consideration of the ydetailed disclosure.

The novel features of the invention have been worked out in the devisingof a filling machine for the handling of plastic materials such aspartially frozen ice cream, water ices and the like. The invention willtherefore be described in that connection although it will be understoodthat 55 the same is of broader application and need not be limited tothe ice cream field.

Although all features of the invention are fully disclosed herein yet itshould be pointed out that only those features having to do with themeasuring and filling operations are claimed herein while those featureshaving to do more particularly with the handling of the containers andthe adjusting of the container holding table as well as possibly otherfeatures are claimed in one or more divisional applications.

The various features and advantages of the invention will be fullyunderstood upon reference to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, while the scope of theinvention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In said drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a filling machineconstructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention; Fig.2 is a side elevation of the same machine viewed from the right as theparts are shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectionthrough the machine, the plane of section being indicated by the line3--3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a central vertical section taken at rightangles to the view in Fig. 3, the plane of section being indicated bythe line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section throughthe machine, the plane of section being indicated by the line 5-5 ofFig. 4; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken on a plane indicated by theline 6-6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 'l is a perspective view of the directing valveof the commodity measuring mechanism of the machine; Fig. 8 is aperspective view of a clutch pin forming part of the main clutch of themachine which operates to transmit power to drive the commodity feedingmechanism; Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the feeding mechanism, theplane of section being indicated by the line 9-9 of Fig. 4; Fig. 10 is asectional view through one set of feeding cylinders showing the relationof the same to other parts of the machine, the plane of section beingindicated by the line I-I of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an end elevation of oneset of cylinders with certain portions of the adjacent structure shownin section, the plane of section being indicated by the line I I-Il ofFig. 9; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the directing valve casing, theposition of the view being indicated by the line l2--I2 and theassociated arrows of Fig. 9; Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic View illustratingthe trip mechanism for operating the main clutch of the machine to bringabout the commodity feeding operations only when a container is properlypositioned to receive the charge of the commodity resulting from suchoperation; Fig. 14 is a front elevation of the central portion of themachine, illustrating more particularly the mechanisms for operating thecontainer holding table, the container feeder, the capper and theejector; and Fig. 15 is an inverted plan view of the same portion of themachine, parts being shown in section taken on a plane indicated by theline |5-l 5 of Fig. 14. Throughout these views like characters refer tolike parts.

In a few words, the machine consists of a base A, a main frame or casingB located upon the base, commodity measuring mechanism C located at thetop of the main frame, a commodity hopper D for holding the commodity inbulk above the measuring mechanism, a rotary tablemechanism E positionedat the front of the machine with its table located so as to receivecharges from the measuring mechanism, and, associated with this table, afeeder F for supplying empty containers to the table, a capper G forcapping the filled containers while still held by the table, and adelivery chute H into which the closed filled containers are depositedby ejector mechanism I.

The driving motor M is located within the base A and operates throughsuitable gearing to drive the measuring mechanism C and the tablemechanism E. The train of gearing for driving the mechanism C includes aclutch N which is the main clutch` of the machine. This clutch iscontrolled by trip mechanism O organized so as to be operated or not inaccordance with the presence or absence of properly positionedcontainers P upon the table of the mechanism E. This train of gearingincludes a crank disk Q which cooperates with suitable connecting rodsand associated links to reciprocate the pistons and oscillate thedirecting valve of the measuring mechanism C. The other train of gearingwhich drives the table mechanism E is arranged to actuate a cam shaft Rat the front of the machine and this shaft gives an intermittent step bystep travel to the table which carries the containers. As this tableadvances it receives the containers P from the feeder F, thesecontainers are filled one after the other with the commodity by themechanism C, caps are applied to the filled containers by the capper G,and, f-

i'lnally, the filled and capped containers are ejected from the tableinto the chute H by the ejector mechanism I.

Going over these principal elements of the machine more in detail, we ndthat the base A is a shell of metal, preferably cast iron, having ageneral triangular form in plan with an adjustable foot at each cornerof the triangle. Each foot 20 is made adjustable so that the base may beset in a level position upon an irregular floor or other support. Theadjustment is obtained in each case, by screwing the foot 20 into or outof the adjacent portion of the base and then holding it in adjustedposition by a lock-nut 2|. Obviously, the feet 2B may be made up indifferent ways, it being important only that it be possible toaccurately level the base when setting up the machine. The upper portionof the base A is drawn in so as to i'lt against the under side of theframe B which is of box like formation and of considerably smalleroverall horizontal dimensions than the base A. The frame B may besecured to the base A in different ways, as by means of bolts, a few ofwhich, designated 22, are

shown. To assist in connecting the two frame elements A and B, the basemay be flanged at various points, as indicated by the flanges 23. These,however, are all matters of detail which may be worked out as desired bythe designer and manufacturer.

The main frame B is, as stated, of box like formation and is preferablya metal casting. It comprises several brackets, extensions and otherparts which may be better referred to when describing other parts of themachine which it supports.

The measuring mechanism C comprises a central metal casing or frame 24which is secured on the forward side of a vertical wall 25 which extendsupward from the main frame B and is laterally strengthened by webs 25integral with the wall 25 and other adjacent portions of the frame B.The frame 24 constitutes the valve casing proper of the directing valveof the measuring mechanism C. It may be secured to the wall 25 in anydesired way, but, preferably, this is accomplished by machine bolts 21,28 extending through the wall 25 into threaded engagement with portionsof the casing 24, as clearly illustrated.

The central member 24 of the mechanism C is preferably composed of metalsuited to the commo-dity being handled and in its opposite ends it isprovided in the illustrated embodiment, with three bores symmetricallyarranged, as clearly shown in Fig. l0, and into these circular openingsare tted two sets of cylinders, three at each end of the member 2s. Thecylinders, designated 32 at the left and 33 at the right, as the partsare viewed in Figs. 3 and 9, are irmly secured in place by welding orotherwise and provide smooth bores on the interior for the travel of theassociated pistons 34 in the case of cylinders 32, and 35 in the case ofcylinders 33. The pistons 34 are provided with piston rods 36 and thepistons 35 are provided with piston rods 31.

Since, in the present embodiment, it is intended that three differentcommodities, or three diiferent iiavors of the same commodity, as forinstance three different flavors of ice cream, are to be fed by themachine, the valve casing 24 has three pockets or channels 33 bounded bythe walls of the casing 24 and intervening partitions 39. These arelocated near the top of the member 24 above the cylindrical chamber inwhich the directing valve 43 fits. These partitions 39 and thecoopera-ting walls fil determine the path of travel of the differentflavors, or ingredients, as they pass into the chambers of the valve 4B,and, as we shall see, they are kept separate until after they havepassed the valve. They then pass through suitable openings, as the-openings 42, located beneath the valve 43 in the bottom of the casing24, as clearly shown in Fig. ll. These openings 42 may join in a largedelivery opening 43. The different flavors, or ingredients, furnished bythe separated passages will then be discharged into the container belowin practically the same relation to each other as they occupy when theyemerge from the passages 4'2. Of course, if desired the partitions 44which lie between the passages 42, might be extended to a lower point tomaintain still further the separation mentioned. In practice, however,it is found that the structure illustrated is quite satisfactory.

rEhe valve 4B which occupies the cylindrical space in the casing member2t, is substantially cylindrical in general outline, as clearly shown inFig. 7. This valve, however, is divided up into passages 43 on the oneside and passages 4S on the other. These passages are provided bycutting away material from opposite sides so as to leave a central web53 which extends axially of the valve and has thickened end portions 5!which strengthen the structure. In forming the channels 43 and 9 almost18() degrees of the material is cut away on each side of the web 5t. Thechannels 48 are bounded by the end walls 52, 53 and the intermediatepartitions 553. in like manner the channels 49 are bounded by the sameend walls 52, 53 and intermediate part The member 24 is Jlons 55. alsoprovided with passages 51 which lead from the forward ends of thecylinders to the cylindrical seat of the valve fis. The passages leadingfrom the cylinders 33, are shown more particularly in Fig. ll, and froman inspection of that view, it will be seen that they are bounded by theen-d walls 58 and the intervening partitions 59. The same arrangement ofpassages 5l is provided in association with the cylinders 32, and thesame are similarly bounded. The cylindrical surface in which thepassages 38 and 51 terminate, form the cylindrical seat of the valve4l).

The valve 40 is held in place by an end plate t@ which slips over a stud6i formed on one end of the valve. The plate 6!) is of suicient size toexten-d beyond the valve and engage with the adjacent walls of the valvecasing 24, as shown perhaps most clearly in Fig. 4. The plate 63coopcrates with a flange 62 formed at the opposite end of the valve.When it is desired to remove the valve 4E), the plate tij is removed andthe valve drawn through the cylindrical opening in the casing 24 as willbe obvious. Normally a frictional engagement is provided between thevalve 455 and its casing 24 by the use `of a coiled spring 63 whichsurrounds the stud 6l and bears at one end against the plate 50 and atthe other en-d against the head of a thumb screw 64 which has its shankthreaded into a suitable opening in the end of the stud. By adjustingthe screw E4 the tension upon the spring S3 may be varied to increase ordecrease the friction between the valve and its casing and hencedecrease or increase the ease of rotation of the valve. The e-nd of thevalve wherein the flange 52 is located is provided with a crank arm 65and it is through this crank arm 55 and the associated link S6 that thevalve il is oscillated to bring it into its different commoditydirecting positions.

These positions, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and the cylinders 32 are indirect communication f with the outlet 43; while in Fig. 9 the hopper isin direct communication with the cylinders 32, and the cylinders 33 arein direct communication with' the outlet 43. Because of the channels 48,4.9 of the valve alining with the inlet passages 38 and the cylinderpassages 51, it will be obvious that in each one of these positionsthere are three parallel paths through the valve from the hopper intoone set of cylinders and from the other set of cylinders to the outlet.In this way, as before explained, the different avors or ingredients ofthe commodity are kept separate until the delivery point of the valve isreached.

The lower end of the valve casing is provided with a plate 10 which issecured in position by suitable screws 1|. Just above this plate theinner surface of the member 24 is cut away so as to provide grooves 12in which a reciprocating cut-01T plate 13 travels to cut off the streamof the commodity, such as ice cream, in a clean fashion at the instantthat the carton beneath is filled and while the table is bringinganother carton into filling position. The plate has a central opening 14in it, which alines with the valve discharge opening 43 whenever thecarton is in position to be lled. Just as the container is iilled, thevalve 4U moves to its new position and in doing so moves the plate 13and thereby cuts off any of the commodity which may be adhering tothespout and allows it to drop into the container. While the tablemechanism E operates to bring a new container into lling position, theplate 13 closes, and maintains closed, the opening 43, but, as soon asthe valve 45 reaches its alternate position, the opening 14 again is inregistry with the opening 43 ready for the discharge of commodity intothe new container. The two positions of the valve 43, shown in Figs. 3and 9, are established when the projection 15 on the valve 40 engageseither of the stops 16, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9. The stops 16are projections on a portion of the valve casing 24. For the valveposition of Fig. 9, the stop 15 engages stop 10 at the right, while forthe position of Fig. 3, the stop 15 engages the stop 15 at the left.

The necessary reciprocations are given to the plate 13 through linkmechanism which is actuated from the oscillating valve 40. Thismechanism includes a link 11 which is pivotally connected at one end tothe crank 65 of the valve and at the other end to an intermediate pointof a link 18. The latter is pivoted at 19 to a xed portion of themachine and its free end is pivoted at to a two part adjustable link 8|.The parts of this link are an angular rod 82 and a block-like member 83.The rod 82 has one end threaded into the block like member 83. Theangular end 84 of the rod 82 passes through an opening in one end of theplate 13. By threading the rod S2 into and out of the block 83, thelength of the two part link may be adjusted so as to enable the plate 13to be properly set. A nut 85 threaded upon the rod 82 is adapted to abutagainst the end of the block 83 and thus X the adjustment of the partsrelative to each other. With this link connection it will be seen thatas the valve 40 oscillates between its stops 16, the crank 65 will passfrom a low point illustrated in Fig. 3, to a high point illustrated inFig. 9, and in so doing will move the plate 13 from an open positionthrough a closed position and back again to an open position. Thismovement cuts oif any portions of ice cream which may be depending fromthe outlet of the valve. The oscillation of the valve 40 in eitherdirection performs this same operation.

The hopper D may be made of any desired construction according to thecommodity being handled. In the present instance it comprises a verticaldouble wall 89 and inclined double walls 90, 9|. These double walls arecomposed of metal sheets lined with asbestos or other insulatingmaterial 92 and contain tubes 93 which carry brine or other suitablecooling material taken in through an intake pipe 94 and withdrawnthrough an outlet pipe 95, all as is common in the art where ice creamis the ingredient handled. In this embodiment angle irons 96 are used inthe frame work of the hopper D. A cover 91 of suitable metalconstruction is also employed. In certain instances the cover 91 may begiven an inclined housing 98 having an opening 99 at one end for thepassage of one end of a lever |00 used to agitate the material in thehopper as is sometimes done in hoppers of the kind especially where icecream is the commodity handled. The lever |00 is given a rocking motionby a connecting rod |0| which is reciprocated through the agency of arocker arm |02 which is readily rocked by some suitable element of themachine, as, for example, by a portion of the driving gear for the feedmechanism C, as will be pointed out more fully hereinafter.

The hopper D being intended for use with the three passage valve 40 isdivided by partitions |93 into compartments |04 which communicatedirectly with the passages 38 of the valve mechanism. The sheet metalconstruction just described is connected to a basic casting |05 whichhas similar passages |06. The latter are separated by partitions |01.The arrangement is such that the compartments |04 and passages |06 and38 are in each case in communication with each other, there being threesuch in the present embodiment. The basic casting |05 is provided with alower face which rests upon and is secured to a peripheral iiange |08upon the casing member 24 of the valve structure. The connection ispreferably made by bolts |09 which pass through openings in the flange|08 into threaded engagement with the casting |05, all as clearly shown.

The agitator within the hopper may take different forms. A suitable typeis illustrated in United States Patent No. 1,476,996 granted December11, 1933. Another simple form is illustrated in the drawings,particularly in Fig. l. As there shown, the lever |99 is secured to atransverse shaft H9 suitably journaled in bearings located at the upperedges of the side walls 39 and 90 of the hopper. The shaft H0 carriesarms |H, at least one for each compartment' |04 of the hopper. Each armcarries a plunger rod l2 terminating in a plunger head i l2a which iscarried up and forced down in the commodity and so keeps it agitated andfree to be fed through the passages |08 and 38 to the guiding valve 40of the mechanism C. Guide rods H2b pass through openings in the plate orhead H2a and are held in fixed position in the hopper compartment bybeing xed to a portion of the hopper construction. The head H 2a in eachcase, there being at least one for each hopper compartment, moves freelyup and down along the guide rods. The rods will be inclined to suit theinclination of the hopper compartment in which it is located.

The table mechanism E includes a supporting frame I3 which is mounted onthe forward side of the main frame B. The connection between the frameH3 and frame B is an adjustable one, preferably provided by cooperatingtongues and grooves. In the embodiment illustrated the frame B isprovided with vertical tongues H4 which cooperate with vertical groovesH5 in the frame H3. Preferably the tongue and groove arrangement is adove-tailed arrangement or its equivalent. In the present instance theouter edge of each tongue H4 has a laterally pro- Y jecting ange whichalso lies within the groove H5. Overhanging this flange is a strip H8secured to frame H3 along the edge of the groove by any suitable means,as the screws H1. this way the tongue H4 is locked within the groove H5but is capable of vertical movement relative to it. Thus the front frameH3 may be readily adjusted in a vertical direction on the main frame B.

The frame H3 is provided with a bearing yoke I6a having a bearing ateach end for the Vertical stem or post |15 which pivotally supports therotary table H8. The under side of the table I8 is provided with acasting i9. This casting includes an upper flange |20 which is aperturedat suitable points for the passage of bolts |2| which are threaded intoopenings in the under side of the table H8. 'Ihe casting H9 also carriesa lower disk or ange |22 which is provided at regular intervals withvertical pins |23 which carry antifriction rollers |24. These pins areintended for cooperation with a drum cam |25 secured to the cam shaft R.The cam |25 is provided with a peripheral groove |29 into which therollers |24 are adapted to extend. The space between these rollers, asclearly shown in Fig. 6, is just sufficient to nicely embrace the camprojection |21 which lies between the overlapping portions of the spiralgroove |26. The cam faces are such that as the shaft R is rotated, theywill 39 -such as a bolt |31, and provides a space between .beveled gearteeth |39.

Contact with the rollers |24 and quickly advance the table H8 throughthe space of one step. Following this there will be a period of rest,and, then, as the cam again reaches its actuating position, the table H8will be given another forward step. In this way the table H8 is advancedintermittently with a rest period following each step. The cam shaft Ris suitably journaled in bearings |28, |29 provided on the under side ofthe yoke frame Ha. Between the casting H9 and the member Hte, a ballbearing I3| may be located so as to facilitate the travel of the tableH8 about its non-rotary pivot H'la. In order to be able to rotate theshaft R by hand for the purpose of adjusting the position of the tableH8 without starting the driving motor I, the shaft R is provided with ahand wheel |30.

The pivotal supporting shaft HIa, although not rotatable, may be raisedand lowered for the purpose of adjusting the height of the auxiliaryframe H3 and the table H8 which it carries. This is brought aboutthrough the agency of a bracket |32 secured in any suitable way, as bybolts |33, to one of the walls of the base A. The

jbracket |32 provides a bearing |34 for the lower end of the post H'ia.There is also an arm |35 which is apertured to allow for the passage ofthe post Illa and this arm is secured to an upright |35 upon the bracket|32 by suitable means,

it and the upper side of the bearing |34 for a nut |38 which hasthreaded engagement with the threads upon the lower end of the postIlle. The periphery of the nut |38 is provided with When the nut |38 isrotated it raises or lowers the pivotal post Ha with reference to thebracket |32. This means that the rotation of the nut |38 raises andlowers not only the post III@ but also all that it supports. In otherwords, the adjustment of the post ||'|a adjusts the frame H3 and thetable I I8. In this way the containers P carried in the differentopenings |40 of the table H8 arev nicely positioned with reference tothe outlet 43 of the valve mechanism C. Different ways of rotat-y ingthe nut |38 may be employed. In the present instance the arm |35 isprovided with a boss |4| on its under side and the boss embraces thepost. I I'Ia but is not in threaded engagement with .it. A small openingin the face of the boss |4Iv permits the insertion of the end of a crank|42 and a beveled gear |43 on the crank |42 engages the teeth of thebeveled gear |39 when the parts are thus assembled. The crank |42 maythen be turned by hand and the result will be a rotation of the nut |38either to raise or lower the shaft H'EL and its supported elements. Thetongues H4 and grooves I I5 maintain the frame |33 in proper alinementand in hrm connection with the frame B.

This table mechanism E thus carries cartons or other containers step bystep around with its table H8. Where automatic feeding and capping areemployed the containers P are dropped from the feeder into the openings|40 as they appear in the container feeding position, designated a inFig. 6. The containers are' fed one by one into the openings |40 as theyappear at this position. Then two advance steps of the table H8 carryeach container from the feeding point a to the filling position blocated directly beneath the spout or outlet 43 of the measuringmechanism C. Two more steps will advance the filled container to thecapping position c. Again two more steps will bring the container totheejecting position ci. From the latter position each lld and cappedcontainer is ejected. by' the mechanism- I- into the chutev I-I aspreviously mentioned;l

When each container' comes into? the filling position b, it is givenv anupward movement so as to force its upper end into contact the lower endof the outlet 43 of the valve mechanism. In other words, at the time offilling, the cup or other container is shoved up against the undersideof the spout of the valve. This action is brought aboutby certainmechanism associated with the table mechanism E. In the embodimentillustrated the lower end of the carton is pressed upward by a double orlooped arm |44 extending laterally from a small casting |45 secured tothe upper end of a pin or rod |46 mounted for vertical movement in abearing formed in a portion |41 of the frame structure. Verticalmovement is given to these. parts by an actuating lever |48- fulcrummedto a xed part of the machine at |49 and bearing at o-ne end ananti-friction roller |50 which is adapted to engage with a cam on thecam shaft R. The end of the lever |48Y which is adjacent to thevertically movable pin |46 is provided with a yoke |52 which forms partof a universal joint connectionV with the lower end of the pin |46. Theyoke is connected by a horizontal pivot pin |53 to a block |54 which isfree to rotate upon the sleeve |51 upon the pin |46. A collar |55 issecured to the upper portion of the sleeve |51 by ai pin |58 or likemeans and serves to limit the upward movement of the block |54 upon thesleeve |51. A knurled head |56 formed at the lower end' of the sleeve I51 bears against the under side of the block |54 to limit its downwardmovement, the head |56 engaging the block |54 and. holding it up'against the collar |55. The interior of the sleevel |51 is threaded andso is the lower end of the' rod |46. As a result of the threadedengagement of these parts, the block |51- may be adjusted up and downupon the rod |46 to give proper vertical adjustments to the containerengaging arm |44.

The carton feed mechanism may vary greatly in. construction. Indeed,the` machine is designed so that different container feeders may be usedupon the machine with satisfaction. Thus the bracket |60 shown at theleft in Fig. 6 provides the usualsupport for the container feederwhatever its construction.v The container feeder F is merelyillustrative. In general, in feeders of this kind,` it is only necessaryto employ a magaziney |'6| for the containers P and in association withit somev suitable reciprocating mechanism |62 for separating thelowermost container of a stack of containers and allowing it to dropinto the positioned opening |40 in the table mecha.- nism E. Inasmuch asthe container feeder in itself forms no part of the present invention itwill suffice to point out these essentials of the feeder mechanism andshow how the machine, as disclosed, provides for the actuation of thereciprocating member of the feeder. In the present instance the` mainsupporting bracket |63 of the feeder is secured at its lower end to thebracket |60 and the guideway |64 for the slide |62 is properly supportedat the upper end of the bracket |63, all' as particularly illustrated.

'l in a guideway |61a and operates to pick off the lowermost cap andadvance it to a position wherein it will be shoved downward by a plungermechanism |88 into its final position in the top of the container. Sincethe cap advancing and .plunger applying movements are the only movementsrequired it will be obvious that the different mechanisms of differenttypes of cappers may be readily actuated by the actuating mechanismsillustrated. In the present case the re- -ciprocating mechanism |61which picks off the Patents, vim-1,171,996, Wilkinson, granted February15, 1916; 1,260,432, Nias, granted March 26, 1918; 1,403,941, Cundall,granted January 17, 1922; 1,913,743, Borchert, granted June 13, 1933.

The chute I-I is of simple construction and need not be especiallydescribed. It will su'ice to say that the same is preferably composed ofmetal and has side walls and is supported in inclined position with itsupper end adjacent to the discharge position d at which position thefilled and capped containers are ejected. These filled and cappedcontainers enter the upper end of the chute and travel down the same tobe further handled as may be necessary.

The ejector mechanism I comprises a headed rod |12 which is reciprocatedvertically at suited timed intervals to engage the bottom of a containerP in the position d of Fig. 6 to push it up out of the opening |48 inwhich it has rested during its travel from the feeding position a,wherein it was initially deposited upon 4the table ||8. This upwardmovement and the pressure behind it are sufcient to dislodge the filledand capped container from its seat in the table and to tumble it intothe chute H.

The rod |12 is provided with guide bearings |13, |14 in a bracket |18secured to the forward edge of the frame I3. The rod is movablevertically and operates during rest periods in the travel of the table|18 to pass its head |16 upward, and then downward, through each opening|48 as it presents itself in the delivery position d of Fig. 6. A block|11 is secured to the rod |12 near its lower end. This block ispivotally connected to the lower end of a link |18 which is pivoted inturn at its upper end to the long arm of a bell crank'lever |19 pivotedto a lower portion of the bracket |15. The short arm of the bell cranklever |19 is provided with a slot |88 which cooperates with a pin |6|which is fixed to and extends outward from one end of a slide bar 82which is adapted to move to and fro in a direction substantiallyparallel to the cam shaft R and a short distance'forward of it. Suitableguides |83, |84 for the actuating 70;' bar |82 are provided near theforward edge of the frame IIS. The end of the bar |82 distant from thebell crank lever |19 is provided with alaterally projecting pin |85carrying a cam roller |88 which rides upon the cam edge |81 of anannular cam |88 mounted upon and se- In like manner a aos/1,9m"

cured to the cam shaft R. The same end of the bar |82 carries a hook |89for receiving one end of a coiled retractile spring |98 which extendslengthwise of the bar |82 and is secured at its distant end to the pivotpin |9| of the bell' crank lever |19. The spring |98 holds the camroller |86 up against the cam face |81 at all times. Consequently, theactuating bar |82 moves back and forth as the cam |88 rotates. The camface |81 is such that there is one complete to and fro reciprocation ofthe bar |82 for each rotation of the shaft R with a rest interval beforeeach to and fro reciprocation is begun. As the bar |82 is reciprocated,the bell crank lever |19 is rocked and the ejector head |18 is moved upand down through a complete cycle. In its upward movement, it strikesagainst a lled container` P, if one is in position, and carries itupward beyond the table ||8 out of the opening |48 in which it hadrested and directs it laterally into the upper end of the chute H. If nocontainer is in the opening which presents itself then the ejectorpasses up and down without performing any ejecting function. A distincttilt is given the lled and capped container toward the chute by havingthe head |16 strike the under side of the container a little toward thecenter of the table ||8 from the exact center of the container bottom.The action of the ejector upon the container to hold it against a toorapid tilting toward the chute is provided by giving the head |16 aforwardly projecting loop |92 which also engages the bottom of thecontainer during the ejecting operations.

Having gone over the different mechanisms of the machine and havingconsidered their parts and relative operations, it may be well now toconsider the trains of gearing and other elements which bring about theoperations of the various mechanisms from the source of driving power.

To begin with, the motor M is preferably located within the base A andis secured to the under side of a hanger |96. The latter is in the formof a slab or plate and is pivoted to lugs |91 secured to the inside ofone wall of the frame A. The opposite end of the hanger |96 is aperturedfor the passage o-f a rod |98, and a nut |99 is threaded on the lowerend of the rod |98 and positions the rod with reference to the hanger.The downward movement of the rod |98 is limited by a collar 288 which issecured by any suitable means, as a Set screw 20|, to the rod |98 andthe collar 288 engages the upper surface of the top 282 of the frame Bto limit the downward movement of the rod. A hand wheel 293 is likewisesecured to the upper end of the rod |98. The rod also passes in threadedengagement through a threaded portion 286 of the bottom of the mainframe B. With this construction it will be seen that as the rod |98 isrotated it will be raised and lowered within the limits permitted by theend of the hanger |96 and the collar 288, to move the plate or hanger|96 up and down about its pivotal point. In this way the position of themotor may be changed in elevation, as desired, within certain limits.

The armature shaft 281 of the motor M, which is preferably an electricmotor of suitable design for the purpose, is provided with an expansiblepulley 288. This pulley is of well known construction and includes twoparts which may be easily forced apart in opposition to the pressure ofa compression spring 289 acting between one of the members of the pulleyand a stop member 2m, such as a washer or the like, secured to thepulley shaft by a nut 23| or other means. These pulleys are well knownand form no part of the present invention. Illustrations of them will befound in the following patents:-966,303, Borlase, granted August 2,1910; 1,350,670, Ritter, granted August 24, 1920; 1,662,654, Abbott,granted March 13, 1928.

With this kind of pulley 208 it is possible to lower the speed of thegearing driven by the motor by simply forcing the pulley members apartslightly and decreasing the effective diameter. Allowing the pulleymembers to approach each other produces the opposite result, namely anincrease in speed. Because of the weight of the motor M it will beobvious that when the hand wheel 233 is turned so as to drop the motorthen the eifective diameter of the pulley engaged by the belt 2|2 isdecreased and with a constant speed motor the speed of the pulley 2|3driven by the belt 2|? will be reduced with a. correspending speedreduction in other parts of the gear train. On the other hand, if themotor be raised, then the eiective diameter of the pulley 298 will beincreased and the speed of the pulley 2|3 increased.

The pulley 2|3 is mounted upon a transverse shaft 2 i l and secured tothe same by a transverse pin 2 i5 or the equivalent and the shaft 2 i4is journaled in bearings 2HE and 2|? formed in portions of the upperpart of the main frame B. The shaft 2 I4 carries a pinion 2 IS whichmeshes with the gear wheel 2li! mounted to rotate about the axis of atransverse shaft 223. The shaft 220 is not driven at all times by thewheel 2|9 but is driven only when the clutch N operates to connect thesetwo elements In the particular clutch employed, which is of the pintype, the gear wheel 2| 9 has a large central bore which ts over andtravels upon the peripheral surface of the crank disk Q, indicated atthe point 22| in Fig. 6. The disk Q is keyed or otherwise secured to thestud shaft 225i which extends forward from the bearing 222 formed in therear wall of the frame B and carries the crank disk Q at its forwardend.

The clutch mechanism N includes a pin 223 which is mounted in andtravels with the crank disk Q and may engage, or may not engage,projections upon the gear wheel 2! 9 according to the setting of lrhepin. The pin 223 is mounted in a tubular casing 22? which is secured ina suitable bore in the crank disk Q at its periphery, preferably byscrews 225, The pin 223 is reduced in diameter at its inner end toprovide space for a torsion spring 22S. The latter is secured at one endby thrusting the end of the spring into a small opening 23e formed in anadjacent shoulder of the pin. The other end of the spring is similarlyheld in a hole 23i provided in the casing 227, as most clearlyillustrated in Fig. 6. The spring 22S tends to hold the pin 223 with itsslot 232 extending radially of the crank disk Q. When thus extended thewall 233 forming the bottom of the slot 232 engages with one or other ofthe clutch plates 232 secured to the gear wheel 2|S. rThis is the normalposition of the parts and the position in which the crank disk Q anddriving gear wheel 2 l 2 are clutched together. This is the position inwhich the spring 229 normally holds the parts. When it is necessary todisconnect the crank disk from the driving gear wheel 2|9, then the pin22S must be rotated from its normal position and rotated against thetorsional pull of the spring 22S, until its wa-ll 233 liescircumferentially with reference to the crank disk Q. When this positionis taken, the projectingv clutch members 23d upon the gear Wheel 2 I9will pass freely through the slot 232 and will not operatively engagethe pin or any part of it to drive the crank disk. rI'his movement outof the normal spring retained position is brought about by actuating anub or projection 235 secured to 0r forming an integral part of the pin223.

Passing for the moment a consideration of the control mechanism forbringing about this unclutching movement of the clutch pin, it may beassumed that the parts are in clutching position and the balance of thegear train brought into play by the clutch considered. As soon as thecrank disk Q is rotated, it carries around its crank pin 236 withresulting operations of the commodity filling mechanism C. The first ofthese movements which may be considered is the oscillating movement ofthe Valve et. As previously pointed out, this valve is oscillated to andfro between its stops l5 by the link The latter has al slot 23'! throughwhich the crank pin 236 extends. The result is that as the crank disk Qrotates in the direction of the arrow as shown in Fig. 3, there areintermittent oscillations of the valve 40, the valve being moved to andfro by the thrust and tension action of the link 63 occurring when thepin 235 engages the opposite ends of the slot walls and the interveningrest periods occurring while the pin is traveling within the slot.

The same rotation of the crank disk Q actuates similar but oppositelydisposed connecting rods each of which includes an outer portion 233 andan inner portion 238. The inner portion 239 of each pin is journaled onthe crank pin 235 and at itsy outer end it is bored out and threaded toreceive the inner threaded end of the rod 238 which forms the outerportion of the connecting rod. At its outer end each extension rod 238carries a knurled head or block 22|! which is xed to the rod in anysuitable way as by a pin 24|. Inward of the head 240 is a guard 242which resembles a washer. Another block 2&3 occupies a position on therod 238 just inward of the guard 222. This block is also preferablyfixed to the rod 238 as by a. pin 244. 'Ihe spaces between the blocks223 on the one hand and the outer ends of the connecting rod members 239provide travel-ways for the blocks 245. The latter are pivotally securedto the lower ends of levers 2te, 2M which in turn are pivotallyconnected at their upper ends to the piston rods 35 and 3l respectively.These levers 243, 2151 are pivoted at intermediate points to brackets248 and 2li-9 respectively. These brackets extend outwardly fromadjacent portions of the main 'frame B.

It may be noted at this point that the lever 246 is formed integral withand virtually is part of the rocker arm |52, previously referred to, bywhich the connecting rod |5l| and associated agitator mechanism in thehopper D are operated. Each time the lever 245 is rocked through theaction of the crank pin 22S and associated connecting rod (made up ofthe parts 238, 239) the agitator is moved up and down, or otherwise asthe case may be, depending upon the type of agitator employed.

In operation it will be seen that as the crank shaft rotates, thepistons 34, 35 and the intervening directing valve d@ operate in timedrelation to bring about proper fillings of the measuring cylindersfollowed by discharges from the same into the positioned containers. Thelost motions CII in the case of the pistons 34, 35, by the blocks havinga free travel upon the connecting rod extensions 238, give the necessarytimed relation between the lling and discharge operations of the pistonsand valve of the measuring mechanism C. The lost motions provided by thetravelways for the blocks 245 upon the rods 238 may be varied at will tovary the measure of the commodity taken up by the respective measuringcylinders. This variation in the case of each set of cylinders, 32 or 33as the case may be, is provided by adjusting the outer portion 230 ofthe connecting rod relative to its inner portion 239. This is done bythe operator grasping the appropriate knurled head 240 and turning thecorresponding rod 233 into or out of the part 239 as may be required tolengthen or shorten the stroke of the pistons, 34 or 35, to vary themeasure of the charge of commodity taken from the supply. The guard 242protects the iingers of the operator from being injured by the block 245when adjustment is made without stopping the machine.

In connection with the operation of the' pistons 34, 35 and the valve40, it should be noted that the valve 4i), when at rest, occupies eitherthe position of Fig. 3 with the dividing partition 50 extending upwardtoward the left or the position of Fig. 9 with the same partitionextending upward toward the right. It oscillates between these positionsand between the travel periods there are rest periods. These restperiods occur while the crank pin 236 traverses its slot 231, first inone direction and then in the other. While the valve i5 is traveling thepistons 34, 35 are at rest due to the blocks 245 passing along thetravel-ways upon the rods 238. On the other hand while the valve 59 isat rest the pistons 34, 35 travel rst to the right and then to the leftas the parts are viewed in Figs. 3 and 9. Thus, in the rotation of thecrank pin 236, there are four periods corresponding to four quadrants onthe disk Q. While the pin 236 traverses one quadrant, which we mayl callthe first, the valve remains at rest in, say, the position of Fig. 9,and the pistons 313, 35 move to the left as shown in that iigure, thepistons as there shown being ready to begin their stroke to the left todischarge cylinders 33 and fill cylinders 32. During the next quadrant,the second, the valve 40 is moved to the position of Fig. 3 and thepistons 34 35 remain at rest, th-e parts being shown at the beginning ofthe quadrant period. During the traverse of the third quadrant by crankpin 23S, the valve remains quiescent and the pistons 34, 35 move to theright, thereby emptying cylinders 32 and filling cylinders 33. Thefourth quadrant brings a movement of the valve 40 back to the rstposition considered while the pistons remain quiet. Thus, there arealternations in the operations of the valve and pistons and through twopositions for each.

The control mechanism O brings about an operation of the clutch N inresponse to conditions present upon the container carrying table ||8 ofthe table mechanism E. Normally containers are fed at regular intervalsinto the openings |40 of the table and there is no reason for stoppingthe regular operations of the filling mechanism C. However, should ithap-pen that an opening |40 presents itself at the filling position b(Fig. 6) without a. container in it, then provision must be made toprevent the operation of the lling mechanism C. The control mechanism Operforms this function. When the containers appear' regularly the clutchN remains in clutching position and the parts move continuously withoutinterruption. However, when an opening |40 appears without a containerin it, then the mechanism O operates to throw the clutch intounclutching position. This allows the parts of the mechanism C to stopduring the travel of the table through another step. If, again, theopening |40 is devoid of a container, the unclutching conditioncontinues for another step. Finally when a properly iilled opening |40presents itself, the clutch is thrown to its clutching position and thelling operations continue.

As previously pointed out, the clutch pin 223 occupies two positions. Inone of these the face 233 is practically tangent to the periphery of thecrank disk Q, and in the other position it is shifted into asubstantially radial position, wherein it engages one c1' other of theclutch plates 234. The coiled torsion spring 229 which surrounds theclutch pin 223 tends to hold the face 233 of the pin in the clutchengaging position. This means that the projection 235 at the end of thepin occupies the position of Fig. 5 when the pin is not interfered withby anything extraneous to the clutch itself. In other words, whenunrestrained the torsion spring 229 tends to hold the projection 235 inthe position shown in Fig. 5, which is the clutch engaging position. 5

For the purpose of moving the projection 235 into the unclutchingposition, wherein the wall 233 at the bottom of the chan-nel 232 lies inits tangential position there is provided a yoke-like frame 252 havingupwardly extending arms prol vided with anti-friction rollers 253. Theframe 252 is pro-vided with downwardly extending lugs 254 through whichpivot pins 255 extend. The latter are threaded through threaded openingsin portions of the lower part of the main frame B. Lock nuts 256 on thepins 255 serve to hold them in adjusted positions. At one end the frame252 is provided with a crank arm 251 and the outer end of this crank armis connected by a rod 258 to an intermediate point in a pedal lever 259,the lower end of the rod extending through an opening in an angularprojection 260 carried by the lever 259. The lever 259 is pivoted toprojections 26| extending inward from the base A at a point adjacent toits rearmost foot 29. end vof the lever 259 is provided with a ilattenedportion 262 for the foot of the operator to engage when he wishestopress the lever downward. The lever 259 is normally held in itsuppermost position by a spring 253 which is secured at one end to thelever and at the other end to a horizontal portion 254 of the base A.Adjusting nuts 255 serve to determine the throw of the frame 252 undernormal pedal depression. The downward movement of the pedal may belimited in any desired way and in the present instance is movable untilit comes in contact with the floor which serves as a sto-p to limit itsdownward movement. The frame 252 is additionally yieldingly held inhub-engaging position by a coiled tension spring 256 which is secured atone end to the crank arm 251 and at its other end to a fixed part of theframe B. The hub-engaging position of the frame 252 is that positionwhich it occupies when its anti-friction rollers 253 are up near theface of the crank disk Q and in position to engage the nub or projection235 on the clutch pin.

As before explained, if the rollers 253 are positioned close to the faceof thecam disk Q then The forward the clutch pin will be thrown tonon-engaging u oted on the same pivot pin 214.

position and the driving shaft 228 will be stopped until the frame 252is moved away from its position close to the face of the crank disk.When in this outer position, the rollers 253 are not in the path oftravel of the nulo 235 upon the clutch pin, and consequently the crankdisk and driving gear wheel 219 remain in clutched position andtherefore move together as a unit.

When it is desired to run the machine continuously without havingcartons in the openings |48 oi table l i8, then it is only necessary topress down upon the pedal lever 259 and thus keep the rollers 253 out ofpossible engagement with the projection 235 on the clutch pin. This willleave the pin free toact under its spring force and hold the parts inclutched engagement. However, when containers are being fed to the tablemechanism then the foot may be removed from the pedal 259 and themechanism will operate entirely under the control of the controlmechanism O.

In considering this mechanism O, it will be noted that it extends in itsoperations from the table |18 to the clutch mechanism N. Adjacent to thetable I I8 is a vertical rock shaft 218 suitably journaled in portions21| and 212 of the main frame B. At the upper end of this rock shaft 218is a bearing block 213 which carries a laterally projecting pivot pin214. The pivot pin 214 carries a floating feeler arm 215 and a pinengaging arm 215. The arm 215 extends at its free end over the edge ofthe table I I8 and carries on its under side a plate 211. The arm 216extends at its iree end below the table |I8 and vin its uppermostposition is operative to engage downwardly projecting pins 218 on theunder side of the table near its periphery. The arrangement is such thatthe arms 215 and 218 move together, being both connected together andpiv- The arms 215 and 215 together with the plate 211 arecounterbalanced to a limited extent by the weight 219 located to theright of the pivot pin 214, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 13. Theweights of these parts, however, are such that the weight of the partsto the left of the pivot pin slightly exceeds that of the weight to theright, as the same are viewed in Fig. 13. The counter-balance providedby the weight 218 thus prevents the possibility of the plate 2".-'1pressing too heavily upon the containers P in the openings |48 as theypresent themselves beneath the plate. In other words, bycounterbalancing in this way, the pressure upon the containers verylight and yet there is sulcient movement of the parts to cause the arm216 to engage the pins 218 whenever containers are in position and toallow the arm 216 to miss the lower ends oi, the pins 218 whencontainers are not in position.

It will be seen that when a container P is presented to the plate 211,the latter will be moved upward with a corresponding elevation of thepin actuated arm 218. As the latter is actuated by a pin 218, the rockshaft 218 is rocked so as to move the clutch control rollers 253 out ofthe path of travel oi the clutch pin nub 235. This transfer of motion isbrought about by a rock arm 28| secured to a lower portion of the shaft218 and acting thro-ugh a link 282 and a crank arm 283 to oscillate aframe 284 supported by the frame 252 and carried by vertical pivot pins285, 286. The oscillatory frame 284 carries a roller 281 at its upperend and this roller cooperates with a cam 288 located on the face of thegear wheel 2|9. The various parts in this train of connections arenormally held in position to cause the iiller arms 216 to engage thecontrol pins 218 whenever the arm 218 is properly elevated and at thesame time to yieldingly maintain the vertically pivoted frame 284 withits roller 286 out of the path of travel of the cam 288. This is done bymeans of, a coiled tension spring 289 which is connected at one end to acrank arm 290 associated with the rock shaft 218 and at the other end toa fixed portion 295 or the main frame B of the machine.

The frames 252 and 264 have a cooperating relation. Whenever the frame284 is in its normal position, its roller 281 will not engage the cam288, as already explained. However, when the control mechanism isactuated so as to throw the member 284 against the action of its springfar enough to bring its roller 281 into the path of travel of the cam288, then the action of the cam upon the roller will press the frame 284and with it the frame 252 outward away from the face of the crank diskQ.

The operation thus brought about through the action of the controlmechanism O is the same in ultimate effect as if the pedal 258 wereoperated and the frame 252 thrown outward away from the disk face asbefore explained. 'I'his time, however, the action has been caused bythe presence of a container in an opening |48 in the rotary table IIB.Since the frame 252 is thrown outward, the clutch pin will remain withits nub 235 in the position of Fig. and a unitary rotation of thedriving gear wheel 2I9 and the clutch disk and shaft 220 will'occur.'Ihis action will bring about a proper operation of the fillingmechanism C when the container which causes the operation of the controlmechanism O is in position to receive its charge of commodity.

Obviously, if a container is not present in an opening |48, the levers215 and 216 will remain in their lowermost positions and there will notbe an engagement of the arm 215 with a pin 218, and, consequently, therewill be no rocking of the shaft 218 with the resulting movement of theclutch controlled rollers 253 awayy from the face of the crank disk Q.Therefore, in such case, the nub 285 will be rocked to the full lineposition of Fig. 5 and the face 233 of. the pin will slip over the edgeof the disk Q and there will be no driving of the latter by the drivinggear wheel 2|9. This, of course, means that there will be no actuationof the lling mechanism C at a time corresponding to the presenting ofthe opening |40 at the filling position bi.

Thus, it will be seen that during the continued operation, where propercontainers successively present themselves, there will be intermittentactuations of the control mechanism O, one actuation for each container,and the clutch will remain in clutching position. In contrast to this,if an unoccupied opening presents itself, then there will be acorresponding failure of the mechanism O to operate and a correspondingcessation of the operation of the lling mechanism C. Thus, the fillingof the containers is placed under the control of the containersthemselves. And, yet, if desired, the machine may be advanced throughany number of steps by use of the pedal mechanism even throughcontainers are absent from the table.

Turning now to the train of gearing by which the cam shaft R is operatedit will be seen that the shaft 2|4, which is driven directly from themotor M through the agency of the belt 2| 2 and the pulleys 288 and 2I3, is provided with a sprocket wheel 294 which is employed to drive asprocket wheel 295 through the agency of a sprocket chain 296. Thesprocket wheel 295 is carried upon the outer end of a worm shaft 291mounted within a gear box 298 suitably supported by a bracket 299secured to a portion of the main frame B. The worm shaft 291 is providedwith a worm gear wheel 300 which meshes with a gear wheel 300apositioned at right angles to the wheel 300 upon a transverse shaft3909, which carries at its outer end a sprocket wheel 30|. The wormshaft 291 and worm wheels 300 and 300a form within the box 298 a gearingby which the direction of travel is changed 90 degrees. In this way thesprocket chain 302 travels in a plane at right angles to that in whichthe chain 296 travels, and is in position to engage a sprocket wheel 303upon the end of the cam shaft R, as clearly illustrated. The sprocketchain 302 has one stretch which engages with a guide sprocket wheel 304journaled in suitable bearings carried by the vertically adjustabletable frame ||3. The other stretchof the sprocket chain 302 similarlyengages a sprocket wheel 306, which is carried at one end of a lever301. The latter is intermediately pivoted to a bracket 218, also carriedby the table supporting frame ||3. The end of the lever 301 distant fromthe sprocket wheel 306 is constantly drawn upon by a coiled tensionspring 309 which is secured at one end to the lever 301 and at its otherend to a fixed point of the frame ||3. The two sprocket wheels 30d and306 together with the yielding mounting of the latter constitute a belttightener for the sprocket chain 302 and by reason of its belt tighteneraction, proper tension is maintained in the chain at all times fortransmission of power to the cam shaft R whatever the verticaladjustment of the table supporting frame ||3 may be, and, indeed, thesame will continue even while the table supporting frame is beingadjusted.

As previously pointed out the cam shaft R is provided with the cam |88having a peripheral cam face or edge |81 which cooperates with a camroller |86 to bring about vertical actuations of the ejector mechanismI. This same cam face |81 also cooperates with a cam roller 3|2rotatably mounted on the lower end of a lever 3|3, The latter is pivotedat an intermediate point to a supporting web 3 I4 which extends outwardfrom the bracket or frame |63 of the feeder F. The upper end of thelever 3|3 is connected with the outer end of the reciprocating feedmember |62 by a pin and slot connection, shown most clearly in Fig. 14.Normally the roller 3|2 rides on the cam edge |81 and is held in closecontact with the same by a coiled tension spring 3I5 which is secured atone end to the lever 3|3 adjacent to the roller 3|2 and at its oppositeend to some relatively fixed part of the machine. As the shaft R rotatesthe lever 3 I3 oscillates, there being one complete to and froreciprocation of the lever for each revolution of the shaft. Each suchto and fro movement of the lever 3|3 gives the feeding member |62 aforward and return stroke to feed one of the containers to the table I8.

When it is desired to stop the feeder it is only necessary to hold theroller 3|2 away from the cam face |81. This is preferably done byemploying a hook 3|1 pivoted to the web 314 so that its hooked end mayengage a pin 3|8 on the upper portion of the lever 3|3 as clearlyillustrated. As long as the hook 3|1 operatively engages the pin 3|8 thefeeder will be held inactive. In order to easily manipulate the hook3|1, that is to say, to lift it out of its position of operativeengagement with the pin 3|8 on the one hand and on the other hand toallow it to drop into said position under its own weight, a cam bar orrod 3|9 may be employed. This bar is mounted for frictional rotation inthe web 3|4. By its frictional engagement with its bearing the rod maybe easily rotated to any desired position and when rotated to suchposition it will be held there by the frictional contact of the parts.The bar 3|9 is provided with a projection 320 which operates to engagethe under side of the hook 3|1 to raise the latter above its position ofengagement with the pin 3 |8. It will be noted that the pivotal axis ofthe hook 3|1 is adjacent to the axis of the cam bar 3|9. This bringsabout the proper actuation of the hook into engaging and non-engagingpositions in response to the rotations of the bar 3|9. Instead ofemploying the projection 320, obviously the bar might be otherwiseshaped or equipped so as to give the necessary movements to the hookwhen the bar is rotated. As long as the bar 3|9 remains in that positionwhich holds the hook 3 1 elevated, the feeder F will be operated. Assoon as the bar 3|9 is rotated so as to allow the hook 3|1 tooperatively engage the pin 3|3, then the roller 3|2 will be held out ofengagement with its cam face and the operations of the feeder will bediscontinued.

When it comes tothe capper G then twomovements must be communicated toits parts, one to the cap shifting member |61 andthe other to theplunger |68. These movements are brought about through the agency of acam 323 upon the cam shaft R, the cam 323 being quite similar to cam |88just referred to in connection with the operations of the feeder. Thecapper cam 323 has a cam face or edge 324 which cooperates with two camrollers 325 and 326 to bring about two required movements of the capperparts.

The cap feed member |61, as before noted, is reciprocated by theconnecting rod or link |69. This link is pivotally connected at itsinner end to the upper end of a lever 321 which carries the cam roller326 at its lower end and is pivoted at an intermediate point to theframe 328 of the capper G. It will be seen by reference to the shape ofthe cam edge 324 that there is one complete reciprocation of the capfeeder member |61 for each complete rotation of the cam shaft R. Thisreciprocation removes a cap from the lower end of the stack in thecapper magazine |65 and shifts it into position to be actuated by theplunger |68. The shape of the cam face 324 is such that the cam' rollers325 and 326 operate alternately to bring about their respectivemovements. Consequently the plunger |68 will not operate until after thecapper feed has operated and properly placed a cap in position forapplication to the container. Generally speaking, while the plunger |68is inactive the feed member |61 is active to advance a cap and while thefeed member |61 is inactive the plunger |68 is active to apply the capto the container.

The cam roller 325, which is employed in actuating the plunger |68, isconnected to the lower end of a bell crank lever 329 which is pivoted tothe frame 328. The short arm of the bell crank lever is pivotallyconnected at its outer end to the lower end of the actuating link |1|which, as previously pointed out, rocks the lever |10 to bring about theoperation of the plunger |68. In this connection it may be noted thatthe lever |10 is pivotally mounted upon the upper end of a supportingarm 335 which is pivoted at its lower end to a portion of the frame 328of the capper. The supporting link 338 provides a shifting ful- Crum forthe lever |10 so as to permit a proper lineal movement of the plunger|88 as the latter is actuated to apply the cap to the container.

The bell crank lever 32S is mounted on a pivot 33| carried by the frame328 and the pivot 33| also carries an arm' 332 which is either integralwith the bell crank lever 323 or secured so as to move with it. Theouter end of the arm 332 has a spring 333 connected to it. The spring333 is a coiled tension spring which is connected at its upper end tothe arm 332 and at its lower end to an angular extension 334 at thelower end of a supporting rod 335 which is mounted at its upper end inthe frame B of the machine, the particular connection being made bysecuring the upper end of the rod to a boss 335 eX- tending downwardfrom a flange 331 of the frame B. The spring 333 is normally undertension and by reason of the connections just noted, causes the camroller 325 to engage its cam face 324 during the rotation of the camshaft R.

The roller 325 is maintained in contact with the same cam surface 324 bya practically duplicate arrangement. The lever 327 is provided with anarm 343 which moves in a plane parallel to the plane of movement of thearm 322. The outer end of the arm 34|) is provided with a coiled tensionspring 34| which extends downward alongside of the spring 333 and issecured at its lower end to the projection 334a on a supporting rod3351i.

In connection with the latter lever, that is to say, the lever 327,provision is made for holding the associated roller 326 out of operativeengagement with the cam surface 324 whenever it is desired to stop thecapper operation. For this purpose, the lever 321 is provided with a pin342 which is adapted to engage a shoulder 343 upon a pivoted latch arm344. The latter is pivoted to one side of the capper frame 328 andnormally the shoulder 343 lies below the path ol travel of the pin 342and does not interfere with the operation of the mechanism. However,when it is desired to stop the feeding of caps, the latch arm 34:3 isdrawn upward and the shoulder 343 slipped in behind the pin 342 at thetime when the cam roller 325 is at its outermost position. While thelatch arm 344 maintains this inoperative relation, the reciprocatingmember |61 is quiescent, consequently no caps are fed forward.

In the present instance, no provision is made for holding the cam roller325 out of engagement with its cam face 324, and consequently theplunger |58 continues to move up and down, but, inasmuch as no caps arepresented when the latch is operating to hold the feeder bar |51 out ofoperation, no caps are forced into containers. In other words, so longas the caps are notJ fed forward to the plunger position, there is noneed of stopping the plunger action, since in any event, no caps can beapplied.

In order to properly position the rotary table ||8 of the mechanism Erelative to the feeder position a, the filling position b, the cappingposition c and the discharge position d, we provide means for adjustingthe position of the actuating drum cam |25 upon the cam shaft R. The cam|25 is splined or otherwise mounted upon the shaft R so as to rotatewith it but at the same time be free for a certain amount oflongitudinal movement along the shaft. A key or feaher 341, which willbe properly secured to the shaft R and movable in a key-way in the boreof the cam |25, will provide for such relative movement of the parts.Since the cam surface |23 of the cam' |25 cooperates with the camrollers |24 positioned on the under side of the table H8, it is possibleby shifting the cam |25 along the shaft R, to accurately adjust thetable circumferentially with reference to the various positions a., b, cand d previously mentioned. To bring about this indexing adjustment wepreferably provide an adjusting screw 348 which passes freely through abore in the cam member which is xed to the shaft R, and into threadedengagement with a threaded bore in the adjacent portion of the cam |25.A head 349 at the end of the threaded pin provides for the rotation ofthe pin by a wrench so as to screw it into or out of the threadedopening in the cam E25. When the proper setting is obtained then theparts are held in position by a lock nut 358. Obviously other ways ofarranging this threaded adjusting pin 348 and its associated parts mightbe employed and the same adjustability obtained. It will be noted thatit is because of the quite accurate t of the cam rollers 24 within theslot |26 of the cam |25 that it is possible to quite accurately adjustthe position of the table ||8 by shifting the position of the cam |25longitudinally of the cam shaft Rv Obviously, in building the machinevarious parts may be protected by coverings or casings such as thecasing 353, shown in Fig. 1, which incloses some of the reciprocatingparts at the iront of the machine, the same serving also as guards forthe protection of the user of the machine. It will also be obvious thatthe circuit of the electric motor M may be controlled by a suitableswitch located at a convenient point. As illustrated in Fig. 1, such aswitch, designated 354, is located on the front of the machine justabove the chute H and adjacent to the capper G and the electricalconnections from it to the motor extend through a conduit 355 shownpassing downward and inward to the motor M located wlthin the base A.For the purpose of obtaining access to the motor M and its associatedparts within the base A, hand holes are provided at suitable points,such as shown in Fig. l, where the same are shown closed by covers 356and 35?, having handles 358 and 359, respectively.

In carrying out the present invention, it will be apparent that manychanges and alterations may be made in the details of the structures andmechanisms shown without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. We, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact detailsdisclosed but aim to cover by the terms of the'appended claims all thealterations and modifications which rightly come within the scope of theinvention.

We claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, two opposing commodity handlingcylinders, pistons for said cylinders, a valve casing communicating withsaid cylinders and having a supply inlet and a delivery outlet, a valvewithin said casing operative in one position to connect one of saidcylinders to said supply inlet and the other to said delivery outlet andin another position to connect the former cylinder to said deliveryoutlet and the latter cylinder to said supply inlet, an operating crank,and lost motion connections between said crank on the one hand and saidvalve and pistonson the other to reciprocate said pistons and operatesaid valve in timed relation to

